Illuminated sign



ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Feb. 7, 1940 INVENTOR /7 am aw? ATTORNEY www' Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I SIGN Appuestlonsrry 'zlnelaiwrm 317,686

This invention relates to a device for display or advertising purposes and relates more particularly to illuminated characters in combination with a clock dial.

Illuminated clocks have always been popular when provided for general use as when located in public places such as waiting rooms, stores, street corners or the like. Since the introduction of the electric clock the popularity has grown and such clocks have been employed to serve bothvas a time-piece for the public and to carry advertising matter as compensation for the installation and maintenance of the clock.

The disposition and arrangement of the advertising legends present a problem since in many instances the clock must be of a pleasing and ornamental character to the end that any unsightly advertising legends, such as company names or description of products, tends to detract from the attempt to provide an ornamental or artistic e'ii'ect. On the other hand any advertising matter disposed remote from the actual dial to which the attention of the public is directed, loses its value for the purpose intended.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a clock for public use in which a legend may be disposed in direct line with the time dial and at the same time give a novel pleasing eect.

Another object of the invention is to provide 3,

a clock dial cover with light diffusing characters. Another object of the invention is to provide light diffusing characters on a cover plate and having la surrounding field harmonizing with the surface or background of the dial.

Although the present invention may find other uses it is particularly adapted for application to a clock, such for example, as that shown in Patent No. 1,994,950 issued March 19, 1935. In

`rays emanating from the light source.

black/rite of the dial. The result is to make the diffusingfycharacters stand out as though suspended without support in front of the clock giving not only a novel eifect, but permitting the disposition of an advertising legend in the line of sight of anyone using the clock, not only without annoyance, but creating a certain de- Y gree of speculation and interest, which adds to the value of the invention from the standpoint of its usefulness.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description together with the accompanying drawing in which,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a clock having char.- acters supported and arranged in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlargedside view of the clock with a portion `of the casing and cover glass removed and Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the clock, the cover glass being shown in crosssection on a plane longitudinally of the light diffusing characters and their local field.

'I'he selected embodiment of the invention may comprise a clock casing Il having a compartment or body Il and a compartment i2. The compartment I2 consists of l'a dial i3, portion il this patent a clock is shown with light absorb- 4 of the casing and a cover glpss or plate '-5' The ing dial surface,.as for example, surfacedl with black paint. The hour numerals are light refleeting or white, as are also the hour and minute hands.

clock structure may either be mechanical or electrical and need not be further described. The dial I'I is faced with a light absorbing coating, as for example, black paint IB on whichare 'I'his clock has a casing so constructed as to 45 dispo-sed the usual numerals of light reflecting provide a space between the dial and the cover plate or glass. In this space is provided a discharge lamp, preferably shaped to the contour of the casing so that light rays are directed to illuminatey the numerals and the hands.

It was found that by utilizing the cover glass,

` an extremely novel effect could be producedY while providing a conspicuous location for a legend.

The name or mark of the advertisement is cut material. The hands I1 and II are also provided with light reflecting surfaces.

A light source in the forni of a discharge lamp I9 is disposed in the lower portion of the com- 0 partment I2 in such manner thatV the portion the hands -and numerals for relatively distanes.

the black dial background. I'he light diiusing characters on the cover glass. however, pick up the iight rays from the source and become distinct and exceedingly brilliant. Furthermore, when viewed from a distance the characters appear to be suspended without support in front of the clock. This is due to the optical elect .of the dark field and the transparency of the cover glass.v

Good results have been obtained by grinding or etching the surface of the glass to form letters, numerals or designs, but it is possible to provide suitable light diiusing portions by using thin layers of light didusing material, such as nitrellulcse products, or etched sheet glass.

Novei eiects may be provided by coloring the characters as by tinting without destroying the necessary transparency.

Although one embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made therein without departing'from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

i. In combination with a clock, a dial having .a dark face, a transparent cover plate spaced from said dial, translucent light diiusing characters on said plate, a local opaque field surgreat Y rounding said characters blending with said dark surface and a iight source disposed between said dial and plate.

2. In combination with a clock, a dial having -a dark surface, a transparent cover plate spaced from said dial, light diffusing characters on said plate, a local opaque field surrounding said char- Y actors and blending with said dark dial surface and a light source for illuminating said characters.

3. In combination with a clock having a casing and a dial face having a dark surface, a transparent cover plate spaced from said face, light' diiusing portions on said cover plate and a local eid surrounding said portions, said iield being in harmony with said dark surface, and means for illuminating said portions causing them to contrast with the surrounding field and said dark surface.

4. In combination with a clock having a casing, a transparent cover plate, supported by said casing, e. dial in said casing spaced from said plate'. a source of illumination Within said casing and between said plate and dial, said dial having a light absorbing surface and light reiiccting characters. light diffusing characters on said plate and a local light` absorbing eld surrounding said last mentioned characters.

5. In combination with a clock having a light absorbing dial surface and light reflecting characters, a source of illumination for said characters, a light transmitting cover plate for said clock, said plate having portions roughened for the dii-fusion of light rays, and a local opaque iield surrounding said portions and blending with said dial surface to accentuate the diused light passing through said portions.

ARD BULOVA. 

